I have had 3 migraines in my life, since the late 90's. The first two were a couple of years apart and then I had 8 years off before getting one in September. I get some bad dehydration headaches and in the past when I was taking diet pills, I'd get caffeine withdrawal headaches as well as I didn't take the pills on the weekend. Took me awhile to figure that out. But I'd never mistake a migraine for anything else - they were brutal!!! I don't know how people can live with chronic ones.

Right after my second one I started to see commercials for the Excedrin migraine pills so I bought a bottle and would take one anytime I felt something may be worse than a "normal" headache. Didn't take them often but went through 2-3 small bottles in the 8 years. Well one morning I woke up at my bf's with a headache and he doesn't really like taking meds, I figured it was from dehydration and that I'd be fine once I got home. (found out later he did have a couple of Advils kicking around). By the time I got home I knew I was in trouble. It was the day I go to my 3 hr bookkeeping job though and I do payroll, so I took two pills this time and off I went. I lasted 30 mins there and headed home. Had to stop and throw up in a parking lot and spent the rest of the day in bed unable to move. I will say the Excedrin got rid of the bulk of the pain in an hour but not any of the other symptoms. If I had taken the pills right away, who knows? Now I have a few stashed at his place.

I have no idea what triggers this in me as they happen so rarely. But I certainly emphasize with anyone who deals with this - it is VERY painful and disruptive to your daily life!

Kimberly, I hope you can find the cause or at the very least, some meds that work better for you!

If anyone is interested, I found a great App/website for tracking calories, food intake, exercise, weight loss/gain. I put the app on my phone and sync it to the website. It's super easy to enter the food since it's got all major brands, major supermarket brands (including Kirkland and Trader Joe's) or you can enter manual items/amounts.

PM me if you want the info.

Wow, was just doing some reading and saw that the AVERAGE caloric intake for Americans is almost 4000/day. That just blows my mind.

It's so helpful to be aware of what you are eating, how much of it you're eating and how much energy you're expending.

I'll join in, please.

In 2011 I lost a little weight - enough to end the continual pain in my left knee - but am still 177 lbs so need to lose more. Target is to shed 1 lb/week and reach 140 lb in October and then continue on the downward trend but the 140 lb mark is a psychological point of 10 stone (I'm in England where we generally speak of weight in stones and pounds - or kilos if we are younger.)

Main problem is in the saturated fats department - 20g daily limit is often exceeded.

I'm trying to get my weigtht down to help with avoiding Type 2 Diabetes and reducing the risk of various cancers.

Now that the knee pain has gone, I can venture more exercise to help too.

A Warning about migraine (or any other prescription medication) PLEASE check w/the pharmacist before taking any OTC pills like Excedrine (sp?) or other type cold medications, etc.

I don't take any OTC medications.

A very sad thing happened at my husband's work--a young woman (36-years-old) took a prescription medication for migraines & then she also took an OTC medication for a cold & the interaction KILLED HER! She had 2 young children & this could have been prevented if she had the important info. about negative interactions between prescription meds & OTC meds.

The fda.(can't list web sites here) has very useful info. about these interactions. I have also signed up for their updates as they are learning new things about current medications on the market all the time & negative side effects that were unknown previously.

Talk to your pharmacist & doctor & be SAFE!--Suzy

What have you been doing to improve your health lately? Had my physical yesterday and all was super.

My personal goals are below and I'm pleased to say that I am meeting them all.

* 8 hours of sleep per night
* Eat a healthy balanced diet with very little meat. No fast food, no soda, cutting back on sugar and fats.
* Exercise on a regular basis
* Set personal boundaries and stick firmly to them. Do not give in to other people needs when it conflicts with my own.
* Take medications as needed without missing any dosages. Take only those that are absolutely necessary.
* Visit doctor, dentist, eye doctor regularly.
* Remove all stress from life as I am able. Do not worry about something that might happen.